Worcester’s new owners vow to invest
Worcester Warriors are finally under new ownership after the sale of the club was announced yesterday.
Errol Pope, a finance specialist in property and commodity trading with “a passion for community-led projects in sport”, leads the new consortium which has purchased the Warriors from Sixways Holdings Limited. Pope is joined by Jed Mccrory, the former chairman of Swindon Town football club, Scott Priestnall and former Sale Sharks and England Saxons player David Seymour. Cecil Duckworth, the club’s long-term benefactor, will remain as president.
According to Worcester, the new owners have no intention to move the club away from Sixways and plan to invest “above a certain threshold into the rugby budget”.
Worcester announced in April a pre-tax loss of £8.1million for the 2016-2017 season and have openly sought a new owner since September last year, with the Scottish Rugby Union reportedly among the interested parties. Coached by Alan Solomons, Worcester have won only one of five Premiership matches this season and are 10th in the table, three points clear of bottom-placed Sale.
Chairman Bill Bolsover, who will remain on the board, said: “Having met with numerous potential new owners and investors, we have found long-term owners who are capable of taking the club to the next level. Our search has been extensive and the process has been a thorough one to ensure we found the right owners who have the backing to take this club forward.
“The new owners have that backing and, with it, a clear vision to ensure Warriors can achieve long-term success and become one of the top clubs in the Gallagher Premiership. They have shown that they have the capability and commitment to invest millions of pounds into Warriors to further develop the club.
“As a board we believe the new owners have inherited a club with huge potential both on the pitch and commercially. The club is blessed with talented players, staff and coaches so we are all excited about the future.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of Harlequins fly-half Tim Swiel. The 25-year-old made close to 50 appearances for Harlequins since arriving from South Africa in 2014 and can also operate at full-back.
“Tim is a player I’ve admired for some time,” Dean Richards, the director of rugby, said. “He plays the game at pace and will fit perfectly into the way we play.”